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March 4, 20138:09 AM

Biffle Battles Hard for 17th-Place Finish in Phoenix

Avondale, Ariz. (March 3, 2013) – Greg Biffle started 17th in the Subway Fresh Fit 500 and after leading for 39 laps during the race had to settle for a 17th-place finish in his No. 16 3M Novec Ford Fusion. Biffle’s Ford ran well out front, but was plagued with handling issues in traffic. The finish was enough to remain sixth in the point standings heading into next weekend at Vegas.

Biffle started 17th but was battling a loose handling Ford. Just 50 laps into the 312-lap event, pit strategy put him to the front and he was able to lead the field for 39 laps. Under caution on lap 100 Biffle pitted for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Many competitors took just two tires, compared to his four, costing him valuable track position.

The loss of track position on the stop combined with handling woes left Biffle in traffic the rest of the race. Crew chief Matt Puccia tried different tire combinations, along with air pressure, wedge and track bar adjustments, but nothing corrected the problem. The 3M Pit Bulls turned out fast stops throughout the race and look to rebound next weekend in Vegas.

Biffle’s Roush Fenway teammate Carl Edwards won the Subway Fresh Fit 500, while Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top five. Next up the Sprint Cup Series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Kobalt Tools 400, coverage begins at 2:30 PM ET on FOX.